Lightning Policy
Assessing the probability of a storm arriving is difficult as they are unpredictable and can be very localised. Always err on the side of caution. Check weather apps to assess how near a storm is and where it is likely to go:
In the event of a possible electrical storm in or around the Isle of Wight ahead of racing, the Race Officer (RO) must:
- Follow the 30-30 rule. Sound travels approx. 1 mile every 5 seconds. A 30-second delay between seeing lightning and hearing thunder means the storm is approx. 6 miles away and poses a potential threat.
- Once the storm has passed, wait at least another 30 minutes before leaving shelter and resuming sailing activities.
Sheltering from an electrical storm – sailors should not hang around their boat or within the boat park. They should seek shelter either inside the club house or appropriate alternative promptly.
